Jason Derulo has joined the likes of Taylor Swift, Jennifer Hudson and Sir Ian McKellen in the upcoming adaptation of Cats.
The film will be the 29-year-old musicians feature film debut, as he will take on the role of rebellious feline Rum Tum Tugger, a rebel cat who cannot help but be difficult and is never satisfied with what he has; a ladies cat, Rum Tum Tugger loves the limelight.
Andrew Lloyd Webber has claimed that Rum Tum Tugger was intended to be an homage to Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones.
Jason confirmed the news on Twitter, sharing with fans that Its official! Your boys a workin actor! (sic)
The big screen adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webbers beloved musical, itself based on T.S. Eliots Old Possums Book of Practical Cats poetry collection, will also star Rebel Wilson – who is playing the role of the lazy old Gumbie feline Jennyanydots – along with Ian (Gus the Theatre Cat) and Dame Judi Dench in the all-star cast.
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Judi – who was due play Grizabella in the original West End production in 1981, until she was forced to withdraw through injury – takes on the role of Old Deuteronomy.
Idris Elba looks set to play villain feline Macavity the Mystery Cat, who uses his minions to try and capture Deuteronomy in the musical, and Jennifer will play Grizabella.
Produced by Tom Hooper, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner and Debra Hayward, Steven Spielberg will also be one of the executive producers of the project.
Cats follows the story of a tribe of cats called the Jellicles as they make what is known as the Jellicle choice, in which they decide which cat will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new life.
It is the sixth longest-running show in Londons West End, first opening in 1981, and the fourth longest-running on Broadway, becoming a theatre favourite thanks to songs like Memory and The Jellicle Ball.
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